My London: Rankin

Celebrity photographer Rankin doesn't give a monkeys about parking on yellow lines and hates being cold but he does love dvds, Primrose Hill at midnight and Parliament Hill at noon. Chioma Nnadi finds out what makes him click.

Where were the last three places you went on holiday? Mauritius with my friend Alex Proud, the gallery owner, and Scotland with my six-and-a-half year old son Lyle. We went in search of the Loch Ness Monster but after a week found nothing. I also went to Venezuela to photograph the President and took a couple of days' holiday to look around once my work was done.

What was the last play you saw in London and did you enjoy it? She Stoops to Conquer at the National Theatre. It's really funny, silly stuff - very English. The servants were good, they all had Brummie accents.

What advice would you give to a tourist? See the view from Primrose Hill at midnight and the view from Parliament Hill at noon. Seeing the horizon gives you a really good perspective on life.

What have been your most memorable London meals? I'm more of a party and drinks person but I do eat out quite often. I'm always in the Quality Chop House on Farringdon Road. The food is incredible and I always bump into someone I know.

Harvey Nicks or Selfridges, and why? I do Selfridges and Jefferson [Hack] does Harvey Nicks. The window displays at Selfridges are really creative. I work with them a lot.

Do you have a favourite pub? The Prince in Stoke Newington. My girlfriend Kate Ashfield lives nearby. She's an actress.

What are your extravagances? Parking tickets. I never use public transport and always ignore yellow lines. DVDs are another extravagance. I've never been a member of a video rental shop. I just buy them all instead.

What is your life philosophy? What's the point in being negative when there are so many things to be positive about? Make sure you laugh at yourself from time to time, too.

What are your favourite shops? Sefton in lslington. I go in there at least once every three weeks. My most recent buy was a Mandarina Duck shirt. I end up doing a lot of my shopping at airports and Heathrow is definitely the best as far as shopping goes.

How do you get around town? In my Range Rover.

What do you miss most when you're out of London? My son, my girlfriend and London's parks. I've seen some amazing cities but London is still the best.

What cologne do you wear? Jo Malone's Amber & Lavender.

What are your favourite home comforts? Having my heating on full blast. I hate being cold so I leave it on all the time, even when I sleep. My Apple Mac because I like to wake up in the middle of the night sometimes and check my e-mails. And my two big sofas - they are bigger and comfier than my bed. I'm always falling asleep on them.

What do you want for your birthday? A Leica digital camera - but by the time my birthday comes I'll have bought one of my own.

What was the last CD you bought? Back to Mine by New Order. I was photographing Pete Tong and he brought it along to the shoot. I had to buy a copy straight after I'd heard it.

What is your earliest London memory? Shoplifting with my friend Paul when I was about 15. I'd just moved to St Albans and it was our first time in
London alone. I stole a Parker pen from a department store. It was the first and last time I've stolen anything.

Who's in your secret address book? There's a really good Italian deli near King's Cross called Olga's Stores. I buy fresh pasta and parmesan there.
Whenever I need to get flowers, I buy them from McQueen's in Clerkenwell.

What was the last book you bought? Choke by Chuck Palahniuk. It's about sexual obsession. I found it fascinating and insightful.

What is in your winter wardrobe? My blue Prada padded jacket and Chanel gloves. I hate wearing too many layers so these are just enough to keep me warm.

Where do you live and why? I live in King's Cross by the Regent's Canal. I love living near water, and the canal was the next best thing to living by the Thames. I do have a bad habit of chucking things into it, though - I like the sound it makes.